Will Delhi finally be free of plastic bags?

If you are found carrying a non-biodegradable plastic bag in the city, you may have to rustle up Rs 5,000 as environment compensation. This is as per the directive issued today by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The directive has specifically imposed a ban on using non-biodegradable plastics less than 50 microns across the NCR.

The tribunal has granted a week’s time to the state government to seize all plastic bags that are a threat to the environment and follow the fresh directive. The court has also asked the government to issue a public advisory in this regard. The NGT has simultaneously asked the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the National Pollution Control Board (NPCB) to file an affidavit on this. Meanwhile, the court has sought a complete report on the city’s ongoing waste-management strategy, particularly in respect to non-biodegradable plastics.

However, this is not the first time that NGT has directed the Delhi government to ban plastic bags.  A directive prohibiting the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags was issued on January 1 this year as well. However, on July 31, the NGT reviewed the enforcement and blamed the state government for the continued use of plastic bags.

This fresh directive particularly stresses the enforcement of this ban in hotels, restaurants and public functions. The state government has been asked to submit its report after a week.

City Spidey spoke to a senior Delhi government spokesperson to ascertain the government’s action on the court’s directive. “The government will discuss the issue in detail and decide its next move,” the spokesperson said.

When specifically asked if the government had decided to issue a public advisory in this regard, the spokesperson replied, “Any such decision will only be taken after detailed consultations during our party meeting. At present I am not able to commit anything on the behalf of my party.”